The Madrid-based hosts are bound to be delighted by the Argentine's absence because he has haunted them before.

While a large number of clubs have fallen victim to Messi's quality, the 26-year-old arguably scored the best goal of his career to date against the Azulones during a 2007 Copa del Rey tie at the Camp Nou. Having collected possession on the halfway line, the four-time Ballon d'Or winner proceeded to beat a quartet of players, before rounding the goalkeeper and scoring from a tight angle.

Ahead of Barca's clash against Getafe, you can relive the goal, which has been compared to Diego Maradona's effort against England in 1986, below.